Product Description The Fascinating Story of Rock `n Roll Pioneer Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson And His Struggles With Drug Addiction and Mental Illness. Outside Austin, Texas, a 53-year-old man sits in an apartment with four radios, three televisions, two amps, a radio scanner, and a Casio electric piano playing all at the same time. Loudly. He has three teeth, his hair is matted into one huge dreadlock, and he has a notarized document on his wall declaring himself an alien, "so whoever's putting shocks to my head will stop."Special Features: 90+ Minutes of Rare & Exlusive Bonus Footage including: * Historic, Uncut Live Performances: "COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATROS" & Intimate Acoustic Performances of "BLOODY HAMMER," STARRY EYES," "RIGHT TRACK RIGHT NOW," "DON'T SLANDER ME," and many more * The Complete "I KNOW THE HOLE IN BABY'S HEAD" and other readings by Roky * The Collected Works of EVELYN ERICKSON * POSTSCRIPT: Austin City Limits Festival Documentary (2005) * POSTSCRIPT: Roky's Emancipation Hearing (2007) * DELETED SCENES & EXTRA DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE .com In the annals of spooked rock, Roky Erickson is a legend. When you hear his wobbling, impassioned, vocal yowl, you have to admit: He could've been a sort of psychedelic, proto-punk, American Van Morrison. Alas, history has been less kind to Roky. Kevin McAlester's documentary discloses precisely why (and how) Roky's early status as an icon--a maverick rock genius as demonstrated by his band, the 13th Floor Elevators--went sadly awry. At the center of You're Gonna Miss Me are some crucial dramatic tropes: a terribly broken family; a pressing, age-old "Am I my brother's keeper" predicament; and a relatively simple case of schizophrenia. The film opens in a courtroom, Erickson's aging and awkward mother, Evelyn, and his youngest brother, Sumner, locked in a battle for guardianship over the then-53-year-old, mentally imbalanced singer. The film captures Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Patti Smith, and Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), among others, testifying to Roky's non-pareil genius. Also present, however, are tales of Roky's singular madness--extended acid and heroin binges and, alas, his then-present-day condition, living in cramped, decrepit quarters with an array of transistor radios, stereos, TVs, and keyboards, all cranked fully as he placidly reclines or wanders aimlessly. The film painstakingly shows the Erickson family's longstanding fissures, contextualizing Roky's schizophrenia and, disarmingly, putting his mother's own awkward idiosyncratic behavior on display. Lee Daniel's cinematography brilliantly captures the desolation and desperation of Roky's life, camera shaking and panning and finding hidden angles to show the strange, seemingly endless schizophrenic signs around the singer--dozens of antennae, stacks and stacks of mail strewn throughout his apartment, and Evelyn's complicated obsession with Roky's history--from his highpoints as a rocker to his tragic three-year stay at the Rusk State Hospital for marijuana possession (where, for example, he played in an ad hoc band with a couple of murderers, a rapist, and, improbably, a hospital counselor) to her own, eerie film project where she casts Roky as "the king of the beasts" in a home-movie she undertakes as a "legacy" for the family. The film is all about otherworldly dimensions, centering in large part on youngest brother, Sumner--himself an accomplished musician playing tuba with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra--and his legal battle to become Roky's guardian and get Roky "simple medical care" and medication for his schizophrenia. This is an important chapter in the history of rock, without the underlying humor that made Dig! an indie film hit in 2005 but with a much larger historical purview. --Andrew Bartlett P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review "...Roky Erickson, sang with a full-moon hellcat yowl that bridged the fervor of Van Morrison and the anarchy of Janis Joplin." - Owen Gleiberman -- Entertainment Weekly"If you think every film about tormented geniuses has to end in tragedy, YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME will shock you" -- Ken Taylor -- XLR8R"It was a set of beefy, fuzz-toned, vociferous garage rock, propelled by Mr. Erickson's saber-toothed rhythm guitar and topped by his biting high voice." - Jon Pareles,. -- The New York Times"We did miss you, Roky, and we're glad you're back." -Robert Asahina -- The New York SunRoky Erickson ought to be dead, too, and the unpredictable fate of the former lead singer of the 13th Floor Elevators makes "You're Gonna Miss Me" a terrifically gripping film." - Joe Williams -- St. Louis Post See more
G**Y
A Happy Ending for a wonderful person
Not often do stories of the rock N roll greats of our time end as positive as Roky's. As a long time fan of his music (since I heard Burn The Flames in Return Of The Living Dead) I was really excited to hear about this documentary, which is so much more than just a documentary. Roky did get a bum rap when he was admitted at Rusk State Hospital, and despite his mothers efforts, he really had a hard time throughout the 80's and 90's. Luckily, Sumner, Roky's brother was there for him. You realy get a feel for how much of a caring person Roky's brother really is. If it werent for Sumner, Roky might not be hear to share his music with us. While this story starts out kind of grim, it ends with Roky breaking free of his past demons, which were truly real to him. It brought a tear to my eye seeing Roky take the stage again for the first time in almost 20 years. The guy always had this sutble gentleness to him and his voice was always so pleasing to the ear, especially to me because I love Rock N Roll and Roky is very influential. I hope to hear a new album from him. At 60 years old, the future seems bright for Roky who, along with his brother Sumner, helps to maintain health and stamina, as well as promote Roky's return to music. This is a magical look at a tragic character who pulls through to prove to the world that you can turn your life around and defeat depression and schizophrenia( whch really doesnt even exist). I look forward to one day seeing Roky perform. I totally recommend this documentary, it is really awe-inspiring. Here's to your health and happiness Roky. Also, get The Evil One and Don't Slander Me as they are classic albums by this highly influential character.
R**H
ROKY ERICKSON / YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME
this DVD can have some very depressing moments in it so its not for the faint of heart.however the end result is happy with Roky emerging from years of drug abuse and mental institutional confinement(including Shock Treatment "Therapy")landing on his feet writing & performing again.to see how far he came back from is astounding.in the beginning of the film he appears almost like a homeless person/dazed & confused(despite being cared for by his mother who basically became his 'enabler').thankfully 1 of his brothers decides to take a "hands on" approach and spirits him away from Texas & his mother to Pittsburgh where he slowly regains his life again.the music soundtrack is OUTSTANDING and actually led me to purchase some of his music on CDs.i had never heard of ROKY ERICKSON or his music b4 but now i'm so glad that i have.my personal favorite moment is at the end of the film when he's relaxing in the countryside with his brother and their Therapist & she asks him to sing a song.without hesitation he chooses GOODBYE SWEET DREAMS and performs it flawlessly.when u take into consideration his start in the MUSIC BIZ (when he was touted as the NEXT SURE THING & more famous groups&artists adopted his style)u can sense (and almost taste) the poignancy in his choice at that moment in time.listen to the lyrics/u'll know what i mean.ENJOY!
M**D
Roky's Revival
For all that grew up in the South Texas area, anything to do with the Elevators is great. Watching some of this is hard if you loved these guys, as most all did. Roky was a special person who touched a lot of lives. He had to fight his demons for a long time. Some brought on my himself, others of which he had no control of. I wish it had been more current, as Roky has become touring again. But, for those who did not know all that went on during these times, it will be an interesting movie. For those that are new to Roky and the Elevators, be sure and find the "Easter Everywhere" album. It was as good an album for it's time as anything that was being done in the late 60's. As a group, they were miles ahead of anything going on in anywhere in the states.
T**D
Only vedio I know of on Roky Erickson
Pretty good DVD could've had more of his music on it though it was pretty interesting.
D**A
Ok
Was ok
T**S
Astounding Story.
Roky Erickson has one of those great voices that seem to come out of the ether and define what we now come to regard as essentially psychedelic. You can't escape its magnificence anymore than you will never tire from hearing it. That it comes from such a sweet guy and, as we learn from this documentary, traversed a path that could easily have ended in tragedy only enhances its brilliance. His is a story that seems to traject us to a time and a place that mixes an eccentric and talented family with the archaic marijuana laws of the period to put Roky in a setting that hopefully wouldn't happen today. That he has come out the other side to be once again performing and establishing his place as one of the pivotal figures in our Rock 'n' Roll history is wonderful and no doubt enhanced by films like this.
J**X
Very good, but not great.
Roky Erickson is/was crazy, right? Well...wait until you get a load of his mother. While I definitely do feel sorry for her, her lack of faith in psychiatry displayed in this film almost angers me. Who knows? Maybe Roky could've had a more lucrative career if it wasn't for some of the stuff that happened. If it wasn't for his courageous brother, we might've never even seen this film. Or a completely different/ultra-sad film. Either way, the ending will manage to both depress & make you happy at the same time. A little more live footage would've made this a 5 star DVD.
J**M
Easily Top Five Documentary of All Time
The story of Roky is complex to say the least. Talent, misfortune, mental illness, drugs, corruption, love, jeleousy, conceit, selfishness and mind-blowing music all play a pivitol role in Roky's life and in this film. But without the genius of Keven McAlester guiding this ship of a film, it could easily have been a disaster of nonsense. Instead, it is a gripping story that has viewers talking about it years after first seeing the film.Buy this film for yourself, then pass it along to others, or give it as a Christmas present. I have given away five copies of this film, only to receive five letters or calls of deep thanks and requests to go out to dinner to discuss it. In short, it is one of the greats.
J**R
Heartfelt - Emotional - Brilliant
Great documentary about 13th floor elevators front man ...Candid contributions from family and friends tracing chronicling Rokys life as musician and person.It's a journey to the very edge of the human psyche ...by the 90's at times Roky barely makes sense in what he is saying.With support from therapy and family he makes a sufficient enough recovery to be able to play shows again.There is a lot of footage of Roky playing throughout - Which is great.Once you have viewed the movie you will want to see all the extras which are plentiful and as brilliant as the main feature.This dvd is an emotional journey - you will feel a wide range of them as you view.Anybody even remotely interested in psychedelia and the elevatorswill be grateful this film was made.It's one to keep and rewatch through the years.Check out the Devil and Daniel Johnston for an equally extrordinary troubled musical life. Classic >>> 5/5
L**8
Great untold story of a legend
Great documentary about a rock pioneer. I had no idea that Roky's mental health problems were so profound and the story of being sent to a mental institution for some minor drug offences was shocking. While his mother's mistrust of doctors is consequently understandable, there are also issues with her approach to his care. Heartbreaking though it is, he receives help from his brother and starts functioning with the aid of medication again. One of the great untold stories of rock history.
P**C
Ein verkanntes Genie
Roky Erickson ist wohl einer der einflußreichsten, tragische und paradoxerweise unbekanntesten Stars der Rock-Geschichte - wenn man sich nämlich überlegt, wie viele Künstler aus Rock, Metal und Alternative von der Musik dieses seit nahezu 50 Jahren aktiven Wirrkopf aus Texas berufen ist es mehr als erstaunlich, das der Name Roky Erickson nicht viel geläufiger ist. Denn egal ob ZZ Top oder The Misfits, The Bollock Brothers, Entombed, The Devil's Blood bzw. Selim Lemouchi, The Sisters Of Mercy, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Alien Sex Fiend, Alice Cooper oder Neil Young über alle Genre-Grenzen hinweg wird Erickson als große Inspiration genannt, und sei es in diversen Phasen solo oder aber mit seiner früheren Band "!3th Floor Elevators", der Mann hat ohne Frage musikalische Geschichte geschrieben.YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME ist ein im Jahr 2005 veröffentlichter, unter der Leitung von Keven McAlester erstellter Dokumentarfilm. Gezeigt wird, sehr ungefiltert und ungeschönt, das Leben von Erickson zwischen 1999 und 2004. Der Zuschauer wird Zeuge, wie Roky Erickson versucht, Ordnung in sein Leben zu bringen. Auf Kommentare und sonstigen Rahmen verzichtet dieser Film bei diesen Passagen weitestgehend, viele Szenen sollen für sich wirken und der Zuschauer sich ein eignes Bild machen.Hinzu kommen Rückblicke auf das bewegte Leben Ericksons, der in den 60ern einen vielversprechenden Start als Musiker hatte und der nicht nur seinerzeit DER Tipp im Underground war, sondern welcher allenthalben als kommender Superstar gefeiert wurde. Hierbei gibt es auch Interviewpassagen mit Rokys Familie, seinen Freunden, Exfrauen, Weggefährten sowie diversen Musikern wie z.B. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top).Ohne Frage: YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME ist einer der Filme, welche man auf sich wirken lassen muss. Wer bislang von Roky Erickson absolut nichts gehört hat und keine Ahnung von seiner Biographie hatte wird nach diesem Film wohl auch nicht viel schlauer sein, YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME setzt ein gewisses Vorauswissen und Interesse an der Thematik voraus. Gleichzeitig ist der Film nicht immer allzu leicht verständlich, auf Untertitel wurde verzichtet, und die gezeigten Personen reden so, wie ihnen der Schnabel gewachsen ist.Dennoch: YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME ist ein hochinteressantes Dokument über einen Künstler, dessen Wichtigkeit und Bedeutung wohl immer noch sehr unterschätzt wird - und gleichzeitig ein Blick auf einen Mann, der versucht, nach massiven mentalen Problemen und wohl kaum weniger massivem Drogenabusus wieder auf die Füße zu kommen.Ein Film über Roky Erickson, welcher nun fast sein ganzes Leben mit psychischen Problemen zu kämpfen hatte, kann sicherlich kaum anders gemachtw erden als man es bei YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME gemacht hat - schonungslos, ungefiltert und mitunter auch tragisch, und dennoch auf seine Art sympatisch.
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